Ireland will not join Nato but needs co-operation with others to bolster State’s defence - Varadkar

Ireland does not intend to apply for membership of Nato but needs to increase its defence capability, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Mr Varadkar said that the State would continue to be involved with Nato’s Partnership for Peace and would continue to be a key member of Pesco, which is the European security and defence policy.

He said being involved with both organisations presented opportunities for Ireland in terms of bolstering the State’s defences.

“As a small country of only 5 million people with a lot of airspace and a lot of seas we can’t think of defence security as something we can do. Alone. So we need to co-operate with our allies.”

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Mr Varadkar was speaking outside Government meeting after meeting Luxembourg prime minister Xavier Bettel, who is on a visit to the State.

Mr Varadkar said he had briefed Mr Bettel about the consultative forum on national security being convened by Tánaiste Micheál Martin later this month.

“Ireland’s policy of neutrality means that Ireland doesn’t participate in military alliances, or adopt mutual defence clauses.

“But we do need to make sure that we’re prepared and equipped to meet threats and challenges of today, including hybrid cyber terrorism in the economy.”

For his part, Mr Bettel told a media conference that it was not the role of Luxembourg to tell the Irish State what it should, or should not do, in terms of Nato membership. He said that Irish involvement in peacekeeping missions was very important, without it being a member of Nato.

The Taoiseach said that Luxembourg and Ireland viewed the single market as the “bedrock of Europe’s prosperity”. He said both had agreed the EU’s approach needed to be ambitious, competitive, and lead on new technologies. “We need to shape global standards and make the green transition,” he said.

Both leaders were strongly committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as it would take.

“The war has caused immense suffering and destruction with large scale displacement of Ukrainian people. The reckless destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam only last week has created a very serious humanitarian situation with a large civilian population displaced from their homes without fresh water or services.

“Attacking civilian infrastructure is a war crime. And we’re determined that those responsible for war crimes in Ukraine will be held accountable,” he said.

Both governments are three-party coalitions, with Mr Bettel’s government serving a second term.

Mr Varakdar said there was no reason that could not happen in Ireland.

“The evidence from Luxembourg is that if a coalition of three parties of that nature governs well, it can be re-elected,” he said.